For many living in Los Angeles, wearing glasses or contacts is still a part of everyday life. Older people especially, who have lived with imperfect sight all their life, are not as willing to make a change in their lifestyle and get vision correction surgery. Baby boomers who may not have had bad vision are starting to notice their eyes weakening. It is getting progressively difficult to see far distances or read small lettering close-up. What these people may not know, is that there are many options they can look into for vision correction, in order to start seeing perfectly without the use of contacts, glasses, or bifocals. Perhaps the most common option is LASIK Los Angeles ophthalmologists will tell you however, this is not the only option.

There are two main focusing structures of the eye, the cornea and the lens. The cornea is the outer clear tissue over the center of the eye whose shape and focusing ability can be improved with procedures like LASIK, the best known of the vision correction procedures. Over the past decade, millions of people have been able to leave their glasses behind thanks to this advancement in vision correction. The improvements in LASIK surgery over that time have been breathtaking.

Two new technologies have caused a resurgence of LASIK. Custom LASIK involves mapping a detailed optical “fingerprint” of the eye and using it to guide the laser. “Custom LASIK gives better night vision and sharper clarity of vision than the traditional LASIK procedure,” says Dr. Robert Maloney, director of the Maloney Vision Institute and the first surgeon to perform LASIK in Western North America.

Complementing custom LASIK is Intralase “all-laser” LASIK, in which the flap is made with an ultra fast laser instead of the traditional machine. “All lasers” LASIK eye surgery Los Angeles patients agree, the fear of having a flap cut on the eye is completely eliminated with this technology.

But, LASIK can’t correct high levels of nearsightedness or farsightedness, and it can’t correct people with thin corneas (LASIK can weaken a thin cornea). For people with thin corneas or weak corneas, “flapless LASIK”, also called PRK, is the way to go.

The Implantable Contact Lens is another option for vision correction surgery in Los Angeles. This is a special lens that is inserted permanently inside the eye. Unlike ordinary contact lenses, it never needs to be cleaned or changed, and lasts a lifetime. While the Implantable Contact Lens would give great distance vision, it wouldn’t eliminate reading glasses for some, because the natural lens weakens with age.

The human eye’s natural lens is flexible in young people. This allows the lens to change focus, much as a camera lens can focus on distant mountains and a close up baby’s face. Unfortunately, as we get older, the natural lens hardens, impairing its ability to focus up close. This process of hardening of the lens is called “presbyopia”, and it happens to every human on the planet.

Many new Los Angeles vision correction surgery options are available to patients, and the quality of vision is better than ever. But it is not a one size fits all. Patients need to do their research and consider all their choices.

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Although LASIK is seemingly the most popular and commonly performed vision correction surgery, not all patients are good candidates for LASIK Los Angeles procedures. Another option for vision correction is the implantable contact lens. One of the more popular types is the Visian Implantable Collamer Lens. This is another type of Phakic Intraocular Lens which is manufactured from a soft foldable polymeric material called Collamer. Because the cornea is actually comprised of collagen, this material provides excellent biocompatibility and superior optical capability. It is readily implanted in your eye behind the iris by gently folding it and injecting into the anterior chamber through a tiny incision only 3.0mm in length placed by the eye surgeon at the clear edge of the cornea.

The Visian ICL as an option for vision correction surgery, because of its unique Collamer composition offers numerous advantages including:

• Quality of Vision – The Visian ICL produces not only improved visual acuity (20/20 vision is considered normal visual acuity), but also excellent visual quality. Many patients experience the “Wow” factor when they experience the immediate improvement in the quality of their vision.
• Biocompatibility – Collamer, the 100 percent pure collagen copolymer lens material of the Visian ICL, is not viewed as a foreign object by the body’s immune system.
• Versatility – The Visian ICL offers a wider treatment range for myopia than Los Angeles LASIK and PRK procedures.
• Simplicity – Unlike traditional contact lenses, once the Visian ICL is implanted in the eye, there is no additional maintenance needed.
• Safety – After implantation in over 55,000 eyes worldwide, the Visian ICL has established a proven track record of safety.
• Lens Placement – The placement of the Visian ICL makes the lens invisible to the patient and any observer.
• Removable – The Visian ICL was designed to be permanently placed in the eye. However, the lens can be removed if a patient’s vision changes or if it otherwise needs to be removed or replaced. This offers the option for removal and/or reversal which other laser eye surgery Los Angeles patients do not have.

If you’ve been researching LASIK Los Angeles prospective patients should know there are more than 5,000 brands of LASIK. And most likely the dizzying array of technologies and clinical outcomes has left you more blurry-eyed than usual. The iLASIK Procedure brings it all into focus by simply combining the most advanced LASIK technologies for you.

Only the iLASIK Procedure is 100% custom-fit to you and your eyes from start to finish using the two-laser approach that has been shown to improve clinical results for more patients than the single-laser platform of older LASIK surgery Los Angeles techniques.

Step One: The iLASIK Procedure’s advancements address the uniqueness of your two eyes, from the distinctive curvature of your corneas, to the microscopic nuances of your anatomy, with the goal of delivering the exact correction you need. Iris Registration and WaveScan 3D Mapping create a blueprint (or fingerprint) of your eye, allowing your surgeon to custom-fit the entire iLASIK Procedure for each of your eyes.

Step Two: Your exact measurements and vision correction requirements are programmed in to guide the two lasers. The first, an ultra-fast laser creates a thin corneal flap, which is then folded back to allow the second laser to correct your vision. Individualized to you, this combination delivers outstanding safety through reduced flap complications1. It takes just minutes for a quick, virtually painless procedure with immediate results.

Step Three: Final post-op visits are conducted and then you are free to resume your active lifestyle, with the potential for 20/20* or better vision.

* Results may vary. 98% of mild-to-moderately nearsighted patients participating in the CustomVue Clinical Trials could see 20/20 or better one year after treatment.

Laser assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) can only be performed by a trained physician and is specified for reduction or elimination of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism as indicated within the product labeling. In Los Angeles LASIK surgery is contraindicated for patients: a) with collagen vascular, autoimmune, or immunodeficiency diseases; b) who are pregnant or nursing women; c) with signs of keratoconus or abnormal corneal topography; d) who are taking one or both of the following medications: Isotretinoin (Accutane) and Amiodarone hydrochloride (Cordarone). Potential side effects to laser refractive surgery may include glare, dry eye, as well as other visual anomalies. LASIK eye surgery Los Angeles requires the use of a microkeratome that cuts a flap on the surface of the cornea, potential side effects may include flap related complications. Consult with your eye care professional and Patient Information Booklet regarding the potential risks and benefits for laser refractive surgery, results may vary for each individual patient.

Restricted Device: U.S. Federal Law restricts this device to sale, distribution, and use by or on the order of a physician or other licensed eye care practitioner. U.S. Federal Law restricts the use of this device to practitioners who have been trained in its calibration and operation and who have experience in the surgical treatment and management of refractive errors.

LASIK Los Angeles centers often boast immediate results after surgery. It is important to know that while the surgery itself may only last 5-10 minutes, the recovery time is a necessary process for healing and to gain the best results. Results vary from doctor to doctor, patient to patient.

It may take some patients up to 6 months to fully recovery from LASIK surgery Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. Patience is required by people who undergo LASIK, as clarity of vision after surgery will depend on the procedure used, your refractive error, and post-operative complications, if any. Most patients are incredibly happy with the results from LASIK. Should you follow the correct steps and take the utmost care after the surgery, you too will be able to enjoy life without the hassle of glasses or contact lenses.

Some minor vision anomalies are normal post surgery. For a short period of time after LASIK it is often reported one experiences ghosts, halos, starbursts, regular or irregular astigmatism, and reduction in clarity. Over time, from as little as a few weeks to as much as six months, these complications generally dissipate as the eyes fully adjust and heal. If these complications continue beyond six months, it is important to see a doctor to determine whether the effects will be permanent.

The general process for LASIK and similar types of laser vision correction Los Angeles surgeries are:

* Day 1 post op. – Most people are able to return to their normal daily routine. It is necessary to follow the doctor’s instructions, including the use of antibiotics, steroids and other drugs preventing dry eye syndrome. You should avoid rubbing your eyes, or getting water, soap, or shampoo directly in the eyes (for example in the shower). Working on the computer, watching television and reading is acceptable, provided that the eyes are kept lubricated, and there is no excessive strain on the eyes. Moderate exercising is ok, but you should avoid getting sweat in the eyes.

* One week post op. – It is still advised to avoid touching or rubbing the eyes. Pools, hot tubs and whirlpools should also be avoided. Follow your doctor’s specifications for using lotions, creams, eye makeup, etc.

* Three weeks post op. – Outdoor activities may be resumed, with proper care and protection for the eyes (sunglasses, goggles, etc.).

* 3 to 6 months post op. – This is generally the appropriate amount of time for your vision to stabilize. The health of your vision is directly dependent on following the utmost care instructions given by your doctor in order to heal properly. Should any complications or anomalies still be present, it is important that you tell your doctor.

To learn more about Los Angeles LASIK surgery, and to see if you may be a candidate, visit your local ophthalmologist for more information.

LASIK eye surgery Los Angeles and beyond is one of the best improvements resulted by the technological advancement in the medical field. LASIK stands for Laser assisted in situ Keratomileusis. One of the most preferred forms of LASIK eye surgery is custom LASIK.

Custom LASIK Los Angeles is performed only on those who qualify as good candidates. Your physician will complete an examination to determine your candidacy based on the guidelines offered by the FDA. If you do not qualify, your physician will be able to advise on a more suitable method of treatment.

Custom LASIK is performed in order to treat myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. Although it is one of the most expensive forms of laser eye surgery Los Angeles procedures, it also is known for its success and has the least post operative complications in comparison to other forms of eye surgery.

Custom LASIK is called Wavefront LASIK due to the usage of wavefront device to diagnose the corneal aberrations. The wavefront device creates a 3D map which helps the surgeon during the operation.

During the custom LASIK procedure, the patient remains awake. They are given a mild dose of anesthesia and anesthetic eye drops. The next step is to create a flap in the cornea. The flap that is created is folded back and held in position so that the surgeon can reshape the cornea using a laser beam. The flap is then placed back in original position and allowed to heal naturally without any special medication.

Once the LASIK eye surgery is completed, extra care should be given to the patient to ensure that the surgery site does not get infected or incur any damage. The patient is given protective dark glasses to wear so that their eyes are not exposed to the sun or other bright lights. Los Angeles laser eye surgery cost may vary from surgeon to surgeon, depending on the surgeon’s location, experience, the technology used, the severity of the vision being corrected, or other varying factors. Contact your local ophthalmologist to find out if Custom LASIK is right for you.